We’re living in unprecedented times. Day by day, more young people are becoming eligible for free school meals. This means that they’re three times more likely to be unemployed by the age of 27. Our new partnership with EY Foundation is crucial in addressing this issue. 

 

A cost-of-living crisis, an uncertain political climate and soaring inflation rates mean it’s a challenging time for many of us, but particularly for young people from low-income backgrounds. With those eligible for free school meals three times more likely to be unemployed by the age of 27, this represents a clear pathway to reduced employment opportunities and earnings. 

Our partnership with the EY Foundation has never been more important. The EY Foundation tackles the barriers to employment faced by young people from low-income backgrounds. Since 2014, they have supported over 18,000 young people and social entrepreneurs.  They seek practical solutions to youth unemployment, taking a hands-on and action-focused approach in their work. To date, 97% of the young people that the EY Foundation have supported have moved into a positive destination, with 58% in education and 39% in employment. 

Through their programmes, they help young people unlock their potential and succeed in the workplace by building aspiration, confidence, and a greater sense of purpose. 

Our partnership

As a recipient of a Haberdashers’ major grant, the EY Foundation is supporting 430 young people from Haberdashers’ Knights Academy and Haberdashers’ Crayford Academy to develop their employability skills and professional networks. The Company’s support has enabled the EY Foundation to reach more young people by facilitating a new relationship with Crayford Academy. In total, 400 students are benefitting from workshops that build on their employability skills, and an additional 30 are taking part in the Smart Futures programme. 

Smart Futures is a two-week paid skills and work experience programme, followed by ten months of mentoring. It’s designed to help young people transition into a positive education, employment or training destination and reduce their risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). The Smart Futures programme is formally recognised and accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, helping young people to develop key skills that are essential in the workplace. 

As part of Smart Futures, 30 Haberdashers’ students will:

• Get real experience of the working world and take part in  aid work experience with one of the EY Foundation’s employer partners during the school holidays. 
• Benefit from up to two weeks of employability skills training and interactive workshops. 
• Have a mentor who will support them throughout the programme and beyond, advising their mentee on their first steps into professional working life or university.
• Be invited to a series of alumni events throughout their final year at school or college. 
• Learn about different industries, organisations and working environments.
• Have the opportunities to practice networking skills and gain a wide variety of transferable skills to give them a head start in their career. 

Sneaking a peak at the ‘Dragons'

As part of Smart Futures, Haberdashers’ students recently took part in the Dragon’s Den-inspired business challenge. Communication, creativity and critical thinking were key to the session, with young people given the chance to flex their teamworking and presentation skills to a panel of expert Dragons – including Freeman Rob Peers.

Students were tasked to develop a product or service to address the climate challenge. Split into groups, they worked together to discuss, research and develop their ideas, as they prepared to face industry experts. Propositions were diverse and considered, from developing new and innovative products to enhancing the environmental credentials of existing solutions.

Teams confidently presented their ideas to the Dragons, answering tricky questions and growing in confidence as they delivered their compelling messages. Whilst feedback was provided on the day, the winning team will be announced at the final graduation event in September.  

Impact on Students

“I really liked today, my confidence grew. When I was presenting…it’s not easy…I had to remind myself that nobody could see my heart beating! I really enjoyed it and felt more confident” – Paige. 
“I don’t like public speaking and am generally very introverted. I really enjoyed the day – I discovered I like working with others, developing my communication skills and expressing my ideas. It wasn’t something I would have done before” – Jola. 
“Programme delivery makes me see the impact on young people and it makes me want to do even more. I have seen the young people come in and they don’t want to talk or say anything, and then they’re presenting with confidence! A lot of students say they have learnt more skills in two weeks than the whole of school. Seeing the ripple effect of the EY Foundation and seeing first-hand the chance – that makes it so rewarding” – Gertrude, Facilitator, Intern and member of EY Foundation Youth Advisory Board. 

Freeman Chris Achiampong has personal experience of EY Foundation, and says, ‘After having my contract terminated by Arsenal Football Club due to a career-ending injury, the EY Foundation Smart Futures programme gave me hope. It was a life-changing experience which broadened my horizons, gave me a real insight into the world of work and improved my confidence. 

‘The Smart Futures programme provided me with a phenomenal start to my career. My role as an EY Foundation Patron and alumnus is my small contribution to repay that debt and express my lifelong gratitude. 

‘It is amazing to see Haberdashers supporting EY Foundation's work, meaning they will be able to support more young people in the UK and impact more lives positively.'

The Company is proud to partner with such an ambitious organisation, whose aim is to reach every single young person on free school meals and enable them to have an employment and earnings potential that is equitable to other young people in the UK. 

“We’re delighted to have the support of the Haberdashers’ Company. Thanks to our partnership, we’re able to reach 430 young people through our employability and Smart Futures programme, giving them a better start to their working lives. With a cost-of-living crisis looming, our work is needed more than ever and we’re grateful to The Haberdashers’ Company for their generosity and support. It’s truly making a difference to the lives of young people across Bexley and Lewisham” – Jodie McNally, Interim CEO & Head of Programmes and Regions. 

Katie Mosses
EY Foundation